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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Kerry's Wednesday Challenge

Impressionism

It is Claude Monet who is considered to be the founder of French Impressionist painting. In 1874, the landscape entitled Impression, Soleil Levant, was exhibited, not only lending its name to the movement but inspiring a group of artists to explore new ways to express themselves in paint.

Impression, Soleil Levant ~ Monet

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was the enfant terrible of the Paris Art scene. Bohemian, decadent, he gathered a huge following and turned prostitutes into his models. His freedom of colour, form and line pushed Impressionism forward.

Can-Can Dancer ~ Toulouse-Lautrec

The tortured soul of Vincent van Gogh, a post-Impressionist painter, gave birth to some of the most vibrant canvases the world of Art has ever seen. His emotional honesty and rough beauty had a far-reaching influence on 20th Century Art.

Wheatfield with Crows ~ Van Gogh

So the question I am asking today is: Can a poem be like an Impressionist painting?

My challenge is to step out of the framework of line and stanza, form and meter and slap words around your own canvases with bold brush strokes, or palette knives, or tiny points of colour. Work with word, phrases, fragments in an attempt to give an impression of a poem, then step back to view the end result.

If this seems too daunting, write a poem inspired by one of your favourite Impressionist paintings.

I have an old poem I've always loved, and I posted it last month for Weekend Writers' Retreat. I've always thought it painted an impression, and it has gained a few admirers, although it's never been published outside my blog.I'll post the link here and will be interested in reading others' impressions, as it were, of my Rock Poem.— K

I am really annoyed with myself ... I have been through all of my poems (the other day) and had something I would post for this prompt ... if I could find it! In stead I shall simply enjoy the work of others. I shall not be around this weekend to read, post or participate.

Well, I should not be so literal should I? For, a poem is so often ones impression. Therefore I shall link my poem NOT written in relation to impressionism ... something that I see with filmy, colors and wistful, misty vapors.

Open Air Stage, Corvara in Badia, Italy "Whether you are a writer or an actor or a stage manager, you are trying to express the co...

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